28 April 2026

When a third of the  ministers and elders left the Church of Scotland in what became known as the Disruption in 1843, little did we realise that the duplication of church building would create so much trouble for future generations of kirk folk.

The enthusiasm with which the Free Church built their kirks and manses was phenomenal. In East Linton, a prime spot was secured at the top of the High Street and became the dominant feature on the landscape. It was built within the year. The striking spire was added later.

A lot of these duplicated buildings have been rationalised and many have been sold. Because of reduced resources of ministers, money and members, some of our ancient and historical buildings are under threat too. Such is the need for rationalisation.

Perhaps this is the problem. What are  the criteria by which a building is ‘sold, let or otherwise disposed of’ as the Presbytery Plan instructs? Underlying this rationalisation are ‘The Five Marks of Mission’. The usefulness of the building for mission is what carries weight within the Presbytery.

Although this makes some sense to those with the mind of a businessman, there’s more to it than the rational – the articulated reasons for a building’s continued existence. There is the heart-felt emotion stirred up by our memories, the words of a hymn, a baptism, a funeral, a wedding, the beauty of ancient stone.

In addition, there is more to a kirk than the functional use of the building. There is the mystery of the hidden God revealed in his Word, the breaking of bread and the promises of a young couple to love each other until they are separated by death. But how do you measure such things? They belong to the mystery of God.